John Mackey of Whole Foods is quoted as saying in Fast Company,
“Our extensive selection of high quality prepared foods attracts customers trading down from restaurants”
If you have not visited a Whole Foods recently then please visit. When you return to your restaurant ask yourself “why should a customer not replace my offerings with those available at Whole Foods?” If you can not define any differences then close today. Save your self the agony. Whole Foods may have created the category on a large scale however there are others out there as well, Fox and Obel in
Restaurateurs need to expand the points of differentiation to survive and grow. Clearly food is not the only consideration, customer service , circus, entertainment and the fact that food always tastes better surround by others are all factors, however there is a clear challenge that restaurateurs need to answer.
